Real Sociedad vs Man United: Late VAR Drama Ends in a 1-1 Draw
Manchester United and Real Sociedad played out a dramatic 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie at the Reale Arena. Joshua Zirkzee gave United the lead in the second half, but a controversial VAR decision led to a penalty, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to equalize.
United Start Strong with Attacking Intent
Manchester United, under manager Rúben Amorim, came into the match with a clear attacking strategy. The first half saw Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho testing Sociedad’s goalkeeper Álex Remiro, but they failed to convert their chances.
Defensively, United looked solid, with Lisandro Martínez and Raphaël Varane effectively handling Sociedad’s counterattacks. The hosts, however, had their moments, with Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal causing trouble on the wings.
Zirkzee Breaks the Deadlock
The breakthrough came in the 58th minute when Joshua Zirkzee, who had previously missed a decisive penalty in the FA Cup, redeemed himself with a clinical finish from inside the box. A quick counterattack led by Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford ended with Zirkzee slotting the ball past Remiro, giving United a deserved 1-0 lead.
Controversial VAR Decision Shakes the Game
The turning point arrived in the 70th minute when a VAR review spotted a handball by Bruno Fernandes inside the penalty box. Initially, the referee Ivan Kružliak waved play on, but after a lengthy review, a penalty was awarded to Real Sociedad.
Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and converted the spot-kick, sending André Onana the wrong way and leveling the score at 1-1. The decision sparked frustration among United players and manager Rúben Amorim, who felt it was a harsh call.
Sociedad Push for the Win, United Hold On
With the momentum shifting, Real Sociedad pressed forward, looking for a winner. André Onana was called into action multiple times, making crucial saves to deny Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea.
United, on the other hand, focused on defensive stability in the final minutes, ensuring they did not concede again. Scott McTominay and Sofyan Amrabat played key roles in breaking up Sociedad’s attacks, while Rasmus Højlund’s late effort went just wide.
What This Means for the Second Leg
With the tie now level at 1-1, both teams will head to Old Trafford for the decisive second leg next week. Manchester United will aim to capitalize on home advantage, while Sociedad will be encouraged by their ability to match United’s intensity.
Match Summary
- Final Score: Real Sociedad 1-1 Manchester United
- Goals:
- Man United: Joshua Zirkzee (58′)
- Real Sociedad: Mikel Oyarzabal (70′ pen)
- Yellow Cards:
- Man United: Lisandro Martínez (45′), Bruno Fernandes (69′)
- Real Sociedad: Igor Zubeldia (33′), Brais Méndez (75′)
- Red Cards: None
- Fouls Committed:
- Man United: 14
- Real Sociedad: 12
- Referee: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia)